Douglass, Crossland looking to take next steps

Eagles cruise past Cavaliers in quest to return to state title game

The Frederick Douglass High School boys' basketball team spoiled former Eagles' coach Taft Hickman's return to the Upper Marlboro School on Tuesday night.

Hickman, a longtime Prince George's County coach who won two state titles at Potomac High in the 1980s, guided Douglass during the 2003-04 season before leaving to coach in Virginia for five seasons. This year, he's back in the county, trying to develop Crossland High into a consistent winner. Tuesday night's game was a measuring stick for Hickman and the Cavaliers, as Douglass handed Crossland a 94-74 setback.

With the victory, the Eagles improved to 2-0, while the Cavaliers fell to 0-2, still searching for their first win under Hickman.

Last season, a late surge lifted the Eagles above the .500 mark and eventually into the Class 2A state title game, where they lost to Baltimore's City College. This season, coach Tyrone Massenburg is looking for his team to take the next step.

"Last year, we had that run late in the season, and at this point of the season, we were still in search of combinations, who's going to be the leaders," Massenburg said. "I think at this point, we have more of an identity."

Whatley was in his first season with the team last year after transferring from Progressive Christian, while Glover was just a freshman. Now, Glover, Whatley and point guard Jeron Beasley are the Eagles' leaders after having such a successful run last season.

Whatley said in some ways the team is better, but whether it can compare to last year's team remains to be seen.

"I think we got a lot back from last year in terms of returning players," said Whatley, a Gazette-Star All County Second Team selection last season. "We feel we're more experienced. I can see that in how when teams make their run, we're able to hold them off now. Last year we would put our heads down."

The Eagles have high hopes for this season, and much of what the players and coaches are saying is centered around making it back to the state title game this season.

"I think we can end up going back to the state championship," Glover said. "I think we have much more energy on the floor right now with our main guys as well as guys like Teron [Elias, 16 points Tuesday night] and Terrell [Bonhom]. When one guy is down, the other guys come pick him up."

The Eagles hope to remain consistent this season, unlike last season when the team finished 10-10 in the regular season.

"We feel that we are a better team, but it's going to come down to practicing hard, staying together and just helping out each other when we need it," Beasley said.

Meanwhile, Crossland is still learning what Hickman wants. Hickman, who has had two stints as the head coach at Bowie State University in addition to a long high school coaching career, said the process has not been easy, but has been rewarding.

"It's going to eventually get better, but it's December, and we knew that we were not going to be playing our best basketball," Hickman said. "But they're a good group of kids and they keep playing hard. They're starting to get it."

For the past two seasons, the Cavaliers' fortunes largely relied on Percy Woods. A 2009 graduate and The Gazette's Player of the Year last season, Woods averaged 28.4 points per game. This year, the Cavaliers have three leaders in Antonio Washington, Harris and Richmond, who are helping the team's younger players adjust to Hickman.

"It's been really tough," Harris said. "But now we're more organized and I think that is good for us."

"We see our potential," Richmond said. "Our coach is not going to give up on us as long as we continue to work hard, he will keep teaching us."